Combined match and marking element



June 1951 B. R. WESTON 2,558,201

COMBINED MATCH AND MARKING EL EMENT I Filed June 16. 1949 FIG. I

INVENTOR BAILEY RICHARD WESTON ATTORNEY Patented June 26,

ATENT OFFICE COMBINED MATCH AND MARKING ELEMENT Bane Richard Weston, New York, N. Y. Application June 16, 1949, Serial No. 99,414

This invention relates to matches and particularly to matches which may be used as marking elements. While the invention is described in connection with 'so-called safety matches, it may be utilized in matches adapted to be ignited by friction, by employing suitable known compositions in the igniting head.

Nearly everyone experiences from time to time the need for a pencil .or similar marking element to jot down memoranda such as addresses, telephone numbers, etc. when no such device is readily available. Individuals, and especially smokers, usually carry matches. A match which is capable of use as a marking element serves a double purpose and frequently will prove to be very useful when no other marking element is at hand.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a match which, in addition to its usual function, will also serve as a marking element enabling the user to make notes of memoranda.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is an elevation of a match embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a pack of book matches; and

Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the matches from the book.

In carrying out the invention, the match is provided with the usual striking head of any suitable composition. Such compositions are well known and form no part of the present invention. Merely as an illustration of a composition which may be used in a safety match, the following is suitable:

As a binder, a wide variety of gums may be used, such as gum arabic, gum tragacanth, gum karaya, carboxy-methyl cellulose and glue.

At some suitable point on the striking head, preferably at the end, another composition is ap- 3 Claims. (01. 206--29) plied in small amount sufficient to afford a marking element capable of use for a short time.

Various compositions may be used. The follow-.j

ing is merely an example of such a composition:

Any suitable binder may be used, including those heretofore mentioned in connection with the composition of the striking head. The hardness of the marking element composition may be varied by modifying the composition as desired. The composition described is fairly soft, but well adapted for the purpose.

The marking composition will not interfere with the function of the striking head. I have demonstrated by experiment that, when the marking composition is applied to the end of a safety match head, the co-operating striking surface will not become clogged with the marking composition after twenty matches (the usual number in a book) have been struck thereon. Consequently the match carrying the marking composition will readily ignite when struck upon the co-operating surface, and the match may be used either as a match or as a marking element, as desired. 7

Any of the usual compositions may be employed in the striking surface, which forms no part of the present invention. As an example, 8 parts of red or amorphous phosphorus and 9 parts of sulphide of antimony may be mixed with ground glass or other abrasive and with a suitable binder such as hereinbefore described and applied to a match container to afford a striking surface. Any other suitable striking composition may be used.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates an ordinary matchstick. The end which carries the striking head is first dipped in and impregnated with paraffin, as indicated at 6, to facilitate the burning of the match when it is ignited. The end is then dipped in the composition affording the striking head to provide the striking 1 and, when this composition is hardened, the match is again dipped in a composition adapted to afford the marking element 8. Such a match may be used as a marking element or it may be ignited by striking it upon any suitable striking surface such as that previously described.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, 9 indicates the cover of a match book which may be made of the usual materials such as cardboard and of the customary dimensions. A plurality of matches H] of cardboard or other suitable material are bound in the cover 9. Each match is impregnated with paraffin at M, and a striking surface I l is provided at one end thereof. Each of the matches 10 is provided with a striking head l2 of a suitable composition such as that hereinbefore described and with a layer of marking composition 13 also of a suitable composition such as that hereinbefore described. When the match [0 has been torn from the book 9, it may be utilized either as a marking element or it may be ignited by striking on the surface I I.

It will be understood that the invention described fulfils a long existing need for a convenient combination with the functions of *a match and of a marking element. Anyone accustomed to carry matches will haveathand'a -pencil with which any memoranda may be noted, for example on the inside of Ethe cover 9 which is of a color different from the color of the marking material. This surface of the cover frequently carries advertising matter, but it maybe left blank to facilitate notation thereon.

The invention is not limited to the use of any particular composition. The examples given will afford suitable compositions for the pur -pose, but any other compositions adapted to accomplish the purposes maybe-utilized, the invention residing in the combination of the striking head with the marking composition to aiford a match as such or as a marking element.

Various changes may be made, therefore, in the details of the invention as described without departing from the invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a match comprising a stick having at one end a striking head and a layer of marking material on the striking head, the marking material being at the end of the striking head and the uncovered sides of the striking head being of such area as to permit ready striking of the match, whereby the match may be used as such or a marking element.

2. As an article of manufacture, a plurality of match sticks of paper material, a folding cover therefor, and a striking surface on the cover, each of the ln'at'ch sticks having a striking head and a layer of marking material of the striking head, the marking material being at the end of the striking head and the uncovered sides of the striking 'h'e'a'dbeing of such area as to permit ready :s'triking of the match, the marking material being of a color different from that of the inside of the cover, whereby the match may be used as such or-as a marking element for marking on the inside of the cover.

3. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 in which the marking material contains carbonaceous matter.

BAIIE N0 references cited.

Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,558,201 June 26, 1951 BAILEY RICHARD WESTON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 46, after the Word striking and before the numeral 7 insert head column 4, line 20, for of the read on the and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommissz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,558,201

BAILEY RICHARD WESTON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 46, after the Word striking and before the numeral 7 insert head column 4, line 20, for of the read on the;

June 26, 1951 and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice. Signed and sealed this 4th day of September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oomm z'ssz'cmer of Patents. 

